Insider Pages Reviews for Azeen's Afghani Restaurant

4 Stars: A well-kept secret in old town Pasadena (by Roberto J.)

Roberto J. — Tue, 19 May 2009 23:24:00 GMT

This is a wonderful little restaurant, offering delicious dishes. It is literally a hole in the wall -- I probably drove by here hundreds of times before my friends pointed it out to me a year ago.
I highly recommend the lamb kabob -- that's my favorite. All of their vegetables dishes are tasty, especially the eggplant. Another good dish is the chicken kabob. Don't leave without trying the dessert pudding.
Delicious food, attentive service.

2 Stars: bad managment (by Jesse H.)

Jesse H. — Mon, 05 May 2008 00:30:00 GMT

The food was very good. My girlfriend found a hair in her pudding, which other wise was very good. I had already sent back a tea cup with the rim covered in chap stick. The waitress took the pudding away. The owner then brought it back to the table, insisted that it was my girlfriends hair and could not have been from their staff. He also refused to take it off the check and then just left it on the table after my girlfriend politely said she didnt want it. All in all I am disappointed in how they do business. We would have gone back again. But they lost our buisness over a five dollar pudding.

5 Stars: Wow!!! (by John F.)

John F. — Wed, 20 Sep 2006 18:23:00 GMT

Working in Pasadena I thought I had been to all the local restaurants. Boy, was I mistaken. In an area that is quickly becoming devoid of character, Azeen's is a shining star. I know what you're thinking, "what the hell is Afghani food?" Let me tell you, it's good. Their lamb, chicken, and beef are without question the best around. The place is clean, the service is great, and I've never left hungry. Working in the area, I generally eat there about 2-3 times a week for lunch and never get bored of the flavor.

If your sick of the Cheesecake Factory, want something more substanital than Louise's, and like good food with great flavor, give Azeen's a try. It's a little off the beaten path, one block north of Colorado on Union, but well worth it. Go there once and I guarantee you will return.

Lunches range from about $9 - $13. A little more than I liike to spend for lunch but the quality makes up for any premium spent.

PROS: The food, the owner, I love it all...
CONS: Having to wait until 11:30 to eat lunch

5 Stars: Superb...I want it again tonight, and tomorrow night, and the next! (by Lindsay B.)

Lindsay B. — Thu, 27 Oct 2005 09:30:00 GMT

This restaurant is a phenomenal place to eat, by far the best that I have been to in the Los Angeles area, and I eat out ALOT! The meat on the kebabs is so flavored and tender that I found myself taking miniscule bites as to make it last forever. I highly recommend the leek and scallion dumplings (aushak). The flavor is different, but favorable. Also, the restaurant staff is so friendly, accomodating, and humble. I am doing a little experiment where I eat at a different restaurant every time I go out, but my thoughts keep wandering back to Azeen's. I really cant say enough good things about it.

4 Stars: The most absolutely succulent chicken ever. Period. (by Rob M.)

Rob M. — Wed, 31 Aug 2005 15:59:00 GMT

Succulent isn't a word I toss around but it is the only way to describe the chicken kabob. I'd never had Afghani food before and this was a very welcome introduction. Start with some sambosa and enjoy the chicken, rice and the bread. There was nothing on the plate that was left untouched. It's off the beaten path and closes between lunch and dinner but it is a culinary treat for your tastebuds.

PROS: Juicy, succulent chicken and great bred.
CONS: Off the beaten path a bit.

4 Stars: Loved the food (by Bj B.)

Bj B. — Sat, 16 Jul 2005 11:42:00 GMT

I was so excited when my friend suggested we try eating here. It was so good and the service was friendly and personal. It made me want to go to Afghanistan myself. I love the cardamom tea and the kabobs with all the spices. Go here and support the family that runs the place!

4 Stars: Good stuff (by Gavin W.)

Gavin W. — Thu, 07 Apr 2005 14:51:00 GMT

The reviews on this place are accurate-- The lamb is great, not gamey at all. Their bread is also very soft and mildly sweet, a good compliment to the dishes! Service is good, too.

4 Stars: (by Jill K.)

Jill K. — Thu, 18 Nov 2004 19:41:00 GMT

Good food, great staff. It's cool that this place is there. The eggplant is absolutely delightful- full of flavor, almost curry like.

Nice place to go for lunch.

4 Stars: High-quality Afghani food for a decent price (by Matt S.)

Matt S. — Fri, 05 Nov 2004 12:22:00 GMT

The lamb is masterfully done. I love the combo platters as well.

4 Stars: (by Lionel Z.)

Lionel Z. — Fri, 05 Nov 2004 11:11:00 GMT

This restaurant sits in a backstreet of old town Pasadena, which makes it a perfect choice to have an easy, quiet lunch.

I always order their lamb kabob; it's the best.

4 Stars: Great Afghan (by M A.)

M A. — Fri, 05 Nov 2004 08:42:00 GMT

I highly recommend the chef's vegetable sampler during lunchtime - the veggies are quite delicious and not too heavy. The owners and waiters are very friendly and it is not too <b>crowded</b>.

4 Stars: (by Cristin D.)

Cristin D. — Thu, 04 Nov 2004 22:22:00 GMT

Great flavors. Clean comfortable atmosphere with friendly polite service. And how often do you get Afghani food?

5 Stars: (by Jim O.)

Jim O. — Mon, 04 Oct 2004 09:49:00 GMT

Fantastic! One of the best restaurants I've been to in Old Towne in a long time. The meals were universally tasty-- the Chef's Special and the Lamb Kabob had rave reviews (the rice with the kabob needed a little extra yogurt sauce). We also ordered a side of Kadu squash), which was delicious. For dessert, the pudding provides a
yummy treat, though the rose flavor takes a little getting used to; the baklava was the best I've found in the area; while the fried pastry was something it was felt could be passed up. The service was flawless-- quick, friendly, and accurate. The Afghan tea was also served from separate pots and had a pleasant aroma. The Pasadena.com discount we got was a free dessert (pudding), but this didn't hamper our enthusiasmfor the place.